Football: Central reboots the offense

To say new Central coach Chris Sands took over an ailing program is an understatement. Central has won only four games over the past four seasons and went winless last fall.

The biggest issue for the Bears has been the offensive line. The presence of 1,000-yard rusher Robbie Bradley was not indicative of Central's skills up front. It lost seven fumbles, and the quarterback was consistently under pressure.

Sands, who was an offensive lineman and line coach, said he is not worried about the past.

"I am always going to put my sprinkle on (the line)," the former Florida A&M standout said. "We have guys competing for jobs, which always helps to motivate."

The plan is to install a spread offense. With rising senior Cody Brooks returning at quarterback, the staff is confident. Brooks was one of three players to take snaps last year, passing for 38 yards and five interceptions in six games. Of the 45 players to come out for the Bears, Brooks has taken a leadership role.

He will have a different, deeper crop of running backs to help relieve pressure. Alvin Jones, a 215-pound Hernando transfer, will see his fair share of carries as a bruising force between the tackles. Another transfer, Devonte Bates from Springstead, looks like a smaller, shiftier type back. There also is rising senior Anthony Williams. As a linebacker for Central last year, he had 49 tackles and three sacks.

The most impressive player this spring has been newcomer Breon Wyatt.

The rising senior is only 5 feet 7, 115 pounds but could thrive in a spread offense as a slot receiver.

"(Wyatt) hasn't played organized football since middle school, but I saw him play basketball earlier this year," Sands said. "He has great body control and athleticism."

If Pasco is looking for a big receiver to replace Nate Craig (now at Tampa Catholic), it doesn't have to look far. Sherwin Emmanuel, a 6-foot-4 basketball player, could break out in the fall. The rising senior has good speed and hands and will be useful around the goal line. North Carolina took a closer look at him at a recent practice, and he could be a difference-maker in an offense that relies on the run.

Audible

"Business as usual."

Springstead coach Mike Garofano on his team, which is coming off a region final berth, the best playoff run in Hernando County history

For kicks

Fivay's Josh Jones was recently named one of the country's top 50 kickers by Kicking World (an organization that runs kicking camps around the country). He was its triple threat champion in Orlando this spring, booting a 50-yard field goal and performing the best on kickoffs and punts. Jones made a 48-yard field goal against Hudson as a sophomore last year.

Zephyrhills scrambling

Zephyrhills is looking for a spring game opponent. The Bulldogs were scheduled to play Ridgewood. But the Rams canceled because of roster numbers, Ridgewood coach Jay Fulmer said via text message.

Times staff writers Matt Baker and John C. Cotey contributed to this report.

BOSTON — Cam Atkinson scored 2:55 into overtime Monday to lift the Blue Jackets to a 5-4 victory over the Bruins, who picked up a point and moved within three of the idle Lightning in the Atlantic Division.Boston forward Ryan Donato had a goal on a o...

TALLAHASSEE — A week ago Buffalo was waiting to find out if it earned one of the final four at-large berths to the women's NCAA Tournament.Now the 11th-seeded Bulls are headed to the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history.Cierra Dillard ...

TAMPA – The Rays were not shy about using closer Alex Colome in the eighth inning last season, and he had more success than one would realize, given all the runners that seemed to be on base.Colome led the majors with six saves of our or more o...

TODAYBaseball, spring trainingBlue Jays at Phillies1 p.m.MLBRangers at White Sox4 p.m.MLBRays at Orioles6 p.m.620-AMCollege baseballArkansas State at Missouri7 p.m.SECCollege basketball, NITPenn State at Marquette7 p.m.ESPNMississippi State at Louisv...

CLEVELAND — Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue is taking a leave of absence to address health issues that have included chest pains, loss of sleep and coughing up blood. The team made Lue take the break, according to reports Monday. Lue, 40, said tests have ...

PORT CHARLOTTE — Blake Snell is making his best pitch.Not the 95-mph fastball at the knees that opposing batters flail at. Nor the slow curve that leaves them trudging back to the dugout.This is the one where he stands at his locker in the Rays...

Calvary Christian moved quickly to find a football coach, announcing the hiring of Alonso's Reggie Crume on Monday.Crume leaves the Ravens after one season to take over for Todd Yoder, who stepped down three weeks ago to pursue coaching opportunities...

TAMPA — On his first day of NFL training camp, during his first practice with the Ravens, Ryan Jensen decided to make his stand. An undersized, sixth-round pick from Division II Colorado State-Pueblo in 2014, he wanted to send the mes...

The American Athletic Conference announced Monday it has joined forces with the ACC to form a football officiating alliance, effective immediately.The partnership will allow the conferences "to work together on a wide range of officiating matters, in...

Addison Barger, KingBarger, a senior, does just about everything for the Lions. He leads off, plays shortstop and is hitting .452. And on Friday night in the final of the Saladino Tournament against Alonso, he also showed he can pitch.The Lions held ...